EU to US shoe size conversion: How to convert EU to US size?

The reverse addition factor is the simplest way to convert an adult EU to US shoe size. To get the American size, subtract 33 from the EU size. For example, A 41 EU men’s size is 41 – 33 = 8. EU men’s size 41 corresponds to US men’s size 8. This is an approximation. Women’s shoe sizes are very similar. American shoe sizes for women are calculated by subtracting 32.5 and then scaling up or down to the nearest half-size in the resulting US size, depending on whether the person has wide feet. Each size in the EU scale covers more than one size on the US scale. The Americans base their standard step sizes on the size of a foot in inches, while Europeans use centimeters.

eu-to-us-shoe-size-conversion-chart
EU to US Shoes size conversion made easy

What is the difference between European and American Shoe sizing systems?

The American and French or European systems are two methods used for shoe sizing. The American System has 3 full sizes per inch, while the French System is based on 2/3 centimeters with 4 sizes to an inch.

Every pair of shoes follow an international size guide. Many pairs of shoes sold in a market that relies on US sizes are represented with European shoe sizes. That’s why our team has created an easy-to-use EU to US shoe size conversion article for kids, men and women. The correct footwear sizes in different markets are essential for comfort and safety. Converting your size correctly from US to EU and vice versa is what we are here to help you do.

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Related: Mexico Shoe Size vs US Size: What are the shoe sizes in Mexico? Chinese Size Chart to US sizes: Shoes, Clothes size conversion

The international guide always includes Asian shoe sizes, Australian shoe sizing, EU and the US range of foot sizes.

EU to US Shoe Size Conversion Chart For Babies

Babies are sometimes not included in a primary shoe sizing system of children’s sizes. American baby shoe brands measure the standard foot length measurement in inches. Continental Europe measures baby feet, infact they take all body measures of infant sizes in centimetres and therefore have a shorter scale overall than the US.

Related: Kids Shoe Size by Age: your child’s shoe size with easy size-charts

EUUSFoot (In)Foot (Cm)
160.5 – 13.25 – 3.58.3-8.9
171.5 – 23.6-3.89.2-9.5
182.5 – 34.4.210.2-10.5
193.5 – 44.3-4.510.8-11.4
204.5 – 54.6-4.8 11.7-12.1

EU to US Shoe Size Conversion Chart For Kids

When babies are 6 weeks – 3 months they strictly wear baby sizes. This remains true for most babies until about 6-9 months. Children’s standard sizes on a European chart are decided at the European sizing convention. The child shoe size starts for most children at around 12 months, and many kids in their late teens also wear a larger shoe size on this chart. This chart is excellent for schoolchildren’s sizes. It must be noted that the largest shoe size for children are also the smallest for men and sometimes women. All shoe sizes by kids’ age you can access in this post

EUUSFoot (In)Foot (Cm)
215.5512.7
226.55.213.2
237.55.614.2
2485.814.6
2596.115.6
269.56.315.9
2710.56.616.8
28116.817.1
2911.5717.8
3012.57.318.4
3113.57.619.4
3217.819.7
3328.120.6
3438.5 21.6
353.58.721.9
3648.822.2
375.59.323.5
386.59.624.4
3979.824.8

Related: Mexico Shoe Size vs US Size: What are the shoe sizes in Mexico?

eu-to-us-shoe-size-conversion-for-kids-shoes
EU to US shoe size conversion for kids’ shoes

EU to US Men’s Shoe Size Conversion Chart

The actual foot size can be challenging to convert with just one measurement because metric foot sizes have a shorter interval of foot lengths, hence each European size can fit more than one US size. To get the American size, subtract 33 from the EU size. For example, A 41 EU men’s size is 41 – 33 = 8. Approximate foot lengths are shown in the shoe size chart below.

EUUSFoot (In)Foot (cm)
4079.6324.4
40.57.59.7524.8
4189.9425.4
41.58.510.1325.7
42910.2526
42.59.510.4426.7
431010.5627
43.510.510.7527.3
441110.9427.9
44.511.511.1328.3
451211.2528.6
45.512.511.6729.6
461311.8030.1
46.513.51230.5
471412.1330.9
47.514.512.3331.3
481512.531.8
4915.512.75 32.2

EU to US Women’s Shoe Size Conversion Chart

Men have a larger foot measurement and therefore wear larger size shoe sizes to women in comparison. American shoe sizes for women are calculated by subtracting 32.5 and then scaling up or down to the nearest half-size in the resulting US size, depending on whether the person has wide feet.

EUUSFoot (In)Foot (Cm)
3779.3323.7
387.59.5024.1
38.589.6624.6
398.59.8025.0
4091025.4
40.59.510.1325.8
411010.3326.2
41.510.510.5026.7
42NA10.6026.9
42.51110.6727.1
43NA10.7227.3
43.511.510.8027.5
44121127.9
44.512.511.1328.4
45NA11.2328.5
45.51311.3328.8
4613.511.5029.2
46.51411.6729.6
4714.511.8130.1
47.5151230.5
48NA12.0530.7
48.515.512.1330.9
491612.3431.3
49.516.512.531.8
501712.6732.2

Footwear industries of America use a completely different set of lasts for numbering for women. For example, don’t make the mistake of thinking that size 40 for men is the same size 40 for women. There are some non-matching sizes in EU with no US equivalent.

How to measure your shoe size for EU or US sizes?

How do i know my EU or US shoe size?

First things first, all shoe size systems start from measuring the length and width of your feet.

How to understand shoe width with more parameters can be found here.
Find out How to measure your shoe size correctly here.

10 easy steps to measure your feet correctly:

  1. Measure your feet in the afternoon.
    Your feet swell during the day, it’s best to measure your feet at their fullest
  2. Stand When Measuring
    When in a wheelchair there’s no pressure on the feet, so it’s unnecessary to stand up.
  3. Wear socks
    In most shoes you most probably wear socks. Make sure you wear socks when you measure your feet.
  4. Be precise
  5. Measure both feet
    Measure your left and right foot separately as they’re not the same length. Take the biggest measurement to determine your shoe Size
  6. Stand on your piece of paper
    Keeping your body weight over your foot, trace a thin line around the outside of your entire foot.
  7. Start drawing
    When drawing the line, hold the pen perpendicular to the ground.
  8. Measure the length of your feet
    Measure vertically down the length of your foot tracing. This is your foot length.
  9. Find your width fitting by drawing or with measuring tape
    Measure horizontally across the widest part of your foot tracing. This is your foot width.
  10. Determine your shoes size in the conversion charts and convert them in EU or US sizes
    Start from the measurement in inches or centimeters and define your size in the charts for men, women or kids

Frequently asked questions about shoe size conversion between EU and US sizes

How much difference is between EU and US shoe size for toddlers?

EU sizes allow wider increments between shoe sizes. This means that each kid size in the EU range can be worn by more than one size in the US size range. For example, size 17 in EU can be worn by US sizes 1.5 and 2.

How do you convert EU Shoe Size to US ?

The easiest way to convert adult shoe sizes is by using the reverse addition factor. If you want to know the US size, you can subtract 33 from the EU size and get the American size. For Example: EU men’s size of 41 will be 41 – 33 = 8. EU men’s size 41 is about US men’s size 8. This conversion is approximate.

Female shoe size is quite similar. American shoe sizes for women take a subtraction of 32.5 and then, depending on whether the person has wide feet or not, she scales up or down by to the nearest half size in the resulting US size.

What is 38 eu to us shoe size?

Based on the calculations above, size 38 in EU is about size 5 to size 7. This depends on whether the person is scaling up or down.

What is shoe size 22 EU to US ?

Without inconsistent size indications, shoe size 22 on the EU scale is US size 6 for a toddler.

Will the shoes fit properly when I convert from EU to a US size ?

Shoe stores will do everything possible to reduce the size difference. There will be always slight differences in the actual size of shoe size tables. Different types of shoes will fit differently even after picking the best size based on a conversion chart.

Which types of shoes fit best if I buy a size based on a conversion chart ?

 Safety shoes, winter shoes and orthopedic footwear like a supportive shoe are good example of those that DON’T fit well. For these shoes, you need a piece of paper to measure your feet for proper adult shoe size marking. A shoe model built of durable conforming material will fit well. Footwear like casual shoes and basic athletic shoes like running shoe are good examples. To make things easier the size labelling on the shoe label may have more than one shoe size displayed. The labels on sports shoes are a good example of a varied footwear sizing designations. 

How does other shoe sizes relate to US and EU sizes ?

The numbers used to represent the size of shoes for Canadian shoe sizes are identical to those of US Sizes. Australian shoe sizing has an irregular difference between feet measurements of footwear sizes that the average foot size in relation to EU or US can not be determined by calculations. The definition of shoe sizes of Australian women shoes makes up for shoe width by using materials that can bulge out at the sides but American and Europeans use wider soles. This is a major difference. 

Asian shoe sizes for children are US sizes + 8 and a shoe at US size 1 and above are US Sizes + 18. From the US sizes, one can now convert to the EU sizes if need be.

British shoe manufacturers have different shoe size definitions compared to the eastern countries of continental Europe. UK size of foot lengths is numbered exactly one size lower than the  numbering of American shoe sizes. This means that US adult size 10 is UK adult size 9.5 and a US shoe at size 9.5 is equivalent to a UK shoe at size 9.

The European shoe size chart is honoured globally as the most inclusive chart that allows the conversion across sizes of any other sizing standard.

How to be sure of having the right converted size ?

The country of origin of the shoe will affect the size of shoe displayed but it may not necessarily affect the foot measurements. Another factor affecting the shoe size display is the primary material of shoe construction. All over the world there are tables for adult shoe conversion but for children you will need tables from shoe makers, or the internet. At size-charts.com you came to the right place.

EU to US shoe size conversion explained (video)

How to Convert European Shoe Sizes to U.S. Sizes by ehowbeauty

Conclusion

A salesperson can measure the length of your optional foot rather than referring to sizing charts, especially for a larger shoe size. The largest shoe size of mass-produced shoes have a larger difference in shoe sizes.

Correct shoes may fall on approximate interval steps. You should also note that. As you go out there to fit your shoes please leave a comment and share this article

Picture in this post by Fikri Rasyid on Unsplash

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